Sue's Travel Tips and Tidbits: January 2013

This article is written for informational purposes only, and does not endorse nor does it express an opinion regarding Spirit Airlines. -- Sue Price, Price Travel Partners

Spirit Airlines has some really low fares for airfare, but please, please, PLEASE, read about their "optional fees" before you book. Charges that they consider to be "optional" are included at no extra charge on many other airlines. For example, Spirit's standard charge for a carry-on bag is $30-$45, depending on whether you pay the charge online/in advance or in person/at the gate. Their standard charge for the first checked bag is $28-$45. If you want the airport agent to print your boarding pass for you, that will cost $5 extra (this charge goes up to $10, effective April 16, 2013). If you want an onboard drink or snack, that will cost you between $1-$15. Seat assignments? Extra. You CAN take a couple of surfboards with you for only $100.

Spirit Airlines does offer a "$9 Fare Club Membership, which discounts baggage fees and entitles its members to members-only fares. The membership can be used by family members traveling on the same ticket, and includes private offers on other travel services such as hotels and car rentals. Again….read the fine print. The $9 Fare Club Membership is per person, and only for the 60-day trial period. The membership automatically renews at $59.95 per member per year.

Is the membership worth it? If you frequently fly between the cities Spirit serves, and if you travel light and don't fly on an empty stomach, you can get some real bargains compared to other airlines' prices. Unfortunately, availability might be limited, and fares are offered for selected dates, so flexibility and knowledge is key.

Here's what Spirit Airlines promises: "We empower customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value."

Their policies are quite transparent…just a little different.

So, you're ready to call your travel agent about a trip to the Caribbean, and you know how much you want to spend, but you're not sure where you want to go. Did you know that the Caribbean region covers 92,540 square miles and includes more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs and cays?

Let's start with the basics: If your budget is tight, you'll want to factor distance and flight availability into your decision. For example, Jamaica is 579 miles from Miami, and there are a good number of airlines serving that route. Aruba is 1,133 miles from Miami and Grenada is 1,530 miles from Miami. Even with vacation package bundling discounts, round trip airfare to the furthermost points of the Caribbean is going to significantly increase the cost of your trip.

Another thing to consider when planning your trip to the Caribbean is lifestyle. The Dominican Republic and Jamaica have a wide variety of lodging types, from all-inclusive resorts with activities included, to quaint cottages and vacation homes. With an all-inclusive package, your meals, snacks, beverages and activities are paid for upfront, which makes for a worry-free vacation. All-inclusive packages and "adults-only" resorts are generally more expensive, but are ideal for couples celebrating a special occasion, as they offer promotional packages that include complimentary perks like honeymoon bonuses, resort credits, transfers and other "freebies" that add exceptional value.

The best advice is "know before you go." The Caribbean region is organized into 30 “geopolitical” territories. In some areas, language barriers and currency exchange are a consideration.

DID YOU KNOW?:

In Bermuda, rental cars are not available and the temp is considerably cooler there during peak season than in the islands to the south.
Antigua has 365 beaches.
Camping is discouraged or forbidden on most Caribbean islands.
On smaller, satellite islands, guest houses may be the only accommodation available.
Some resorts have casinos.
You don't have to have a passport to visit Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.
There are beaches in Jamaica where you can sun bathe "au natural," but nude bathing is illegal in Bermuda.
The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands cater to deep-sea fishing.
The population of the Caribbean region is estimated to be over 39 million!
Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are called the "ABC Islands," and are under the control of the Netherlands.
Grenada has the largest wreck in the Caribbean, which is the Bianca C. a 600-passenger Italian ocean liner that caught on fire and sank in 1961.
St. Martin actually has a French (St. Martin) and Dutch side (Sint Maarten). It is the smallest island in the world that is divided between two sovereign nations.